I’d like to get better at taking “in progress” photographs of my models, but I don’t have a consistent setup.
How do you guys setup your photographing?
Especially curious in Bill Plunk’s method if you’re out there…[:D]
I have a digital camera with full aperture control and shutter speed control and macro settings. It’s the lighting that really gets me. I’d like to have something permenantly setup in my basement by my workdesk for ease of photograhy.
This should help you. >>> CLICKY <<<< This isn’t complicated or expensive. To keep it simple I like point and shoot…I do a little editing with the software that came with my computer. The hardest part of the whole process is: REMEMBERING TO STOP TO TAKE THE PICTURES![;)]
Vt, here’s the setup I use.
The key to good lighting is consistency and diffusion. The light tent is one I bought from an online camera supply store but it’s possible to make your own light box using this method: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html
I have my light tent set up on an old computer desk and use the pull-out drawer to adjust lighting as well as the goose-neck style student lamps as needed for the subject at hand. The two clamp-sytle lamps are incandescent 75w GE Reveal bulbs and the two standing lamps are halogen 50w. The flexibility of the light arrangements is critical as different angles need slightly different lighting, especially when photographing painted/finished items. It also helps avoid harsh shadows and glare from too much light. The lamps are usually not pointed directly at the subject but instead are angled so as to “fill” the light tent with diffused light. Takes a bit of practice but after a while it’s like riding a bike. [;)] The background is just a sheet of ordinary posterboard that you can get at Wal-Mart for $0.30 a sheet and provides a seamless background since it’s curved vs. square. I use light blue as that seems to produce the best color balance/white balance with my camera, each one’s different so you’ll have to experiment a little with yours. White or black may also work but they tend to produce a lot of contrast and white often comes of as slightly gray as well.
As far as camera set-up, I use a Canon Rebel XTi. It’s an SLR vs. a point-and-shoot and I pair it up with an EF-S 60mm Macro lens. HTH and feel free to ask any questions.
Agreed, it’s hard to remember to stop at logical points to document the build with photos if you’re on a roll with the assembly. I’ve been building on my “mobile” work bench lately and have just been leaving my camera on the tripod with the photobooth set up on the dining room table so I can quickly take photos. It’s still a bit of a pain in the ass at times, but if I just bite the bullet and take a couple of quick shots, it only takes a few minutes. Then later I go though all the pics I took and post selected shots which help to explain the assembly process and show the details and features of the tank.
I took Bill’s advice and went to Walmart and found a Portable Light Studio on sale for $38.00. It came with the tent, 2 20 watt light fixtures and a tripod.
It’s a start in the right direction. I had lighting issues and this should cure most of the problems! Next will be the camera once I have found the trick on lighting.
thats what i have to. now i just have to figure out this darn nikon d-40. great camera but way to many things for the old boy to handle.
Thanks Bill! That’s an awesome description of your setup and something I can replicate without too much hassle. You da man. [bow]
Gee, I got an ol’ cardboard box, two 40 watt bulbs w/two old lamps from the thrift store … and my camera. Not counting the camera I have about $3.00 in the whole set up.
Here’s the result:
Disastermaster
Nice. Must be the FM too. [bow]